By J1 Reporter Orly Acevedo

Try your best, and have comfort in the fact that you are the first person in your family to make change,” Abigail Acevedo said. A 2021 Marian alumna, first generation out-of-state college student, and now a senior at Notre Dame, Acevedo reflects on challenges and shares her advice to overcome them.

Growing up, school was never a source for pressure. “I was lucky because I had no expectations from my parents…my dad never told me to go to college,” Acevedo said.

 As she got older, she realized she didn’t have the same academic support as some of her classmates. Her parents couldn’t provide guidance, which meant she had to figure things out on her own.

Many things motivated her, like her hardworking parents who gave her opportunities they could not have.

“There’s such a big underrepresentation of Latinas. Only 3% of Latinas are doctors,” Acevedo said. From there, she found interest in biology and knew that she wanted to become a doctor. 

In her high school years, her guidance counselor, Kathy DeWispelare, informed her of an amazing opportunity. There was a program where only around 1,000 students would match to a university with a full-ride. Despite her doubts, she knew that this program would be the only way to go to an out-of-state college; so she decided to take the chance.

“I would have been happy staying home and attending UNL or UNO but wanted to experience leaving home for the first time as well as the many opportunities Notre Dame offered,” Acevedo said. 

Shocked and excited, she was accepted to the University of Notre Dame. 

“Seeing how stressed my older brother was trying to save up money for college and the defeated look on my dad’s face when he saw how much he would have to pay for my brother’s schooling scared me, and being able to relieve that burden for not only me, but for my parents, felt truly amazing,” Acevedo said. 

Although her parents didn’t understand the ranking of schools, they were proud and excited for her to experience something so great for the cost of nothing.  

Many of the Marian teachers helped recommend her, and Katy Salzman told her about Notre Dame because her son went there. 

Being alone and not knowing anyone is a challenge everyone faces. Building new relationships with peers in the same field as her and interacting with teachers who answered her questions helped her open up to her campus community.

 “I know it sounds cliche, but be authentic and be open to talk about yourself with others. Don’t fall behind, ask for help, build relationships with peers and teachers,” Acevedo said.

Now, Acevedo will be the first one in her family to go to graduate school, and she plans overcome any other challenges.